Future generations from the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca may steer clear of obesity-related health issues, thanks to a new law passed by state officials, banning the sale of junk food and sugary drinks to children, in an attempt to reduce high obesity and diabetes levels.
Oaxaca is the first state to take the measure in Mexico, which has one of the world’s highest rates of childhood obesity. About 73 percent of the Mexican population is overweight, compared to one-fifth of the population in 1996, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The move comes as Mexico’s number of deaths linked to COVID-19 nears 50,000, and with experts claiming that people who are obese or overweight are at greater risk of serious illness or death from the virus.
Public health officials and lawmakers inside the Congress have welcomed with applause the new legislation, which forbids the sale, distribution, and promotion of sugary drinks and junk food to those under age. It will also apply to vending machines in schools.
Christian Skoog, the Unicef representative in Mexico, approved the new law, saying that such measures protected children’s rights to quality and nutritious food.
